REGIONAL— The Superior National Forest has extended the public comment period on the forest service’s proposal to purchase approximately 80,000 acres of school trust lands located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
“With only 43 comments received to date combined with requests for an extension during our open houses we have extended the comment period through Sept. 17,” said Tom Hall, Superior National Forest Supervisor. “We also now have a 27-minute video presentation on the project page to help the public better understand the project and the process.”  The scoping phase of NEPA is not a decision, it’s an opportunity for the public to give feedback prior to a decision. 
The scoping period is an important step in the process established by the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, as it allows the public to understand the purpose and need of the proposed action. The public is also encouraged to submit comments during this time as it allows the forest service to potentially refine the proposed action through consideration of issues or potential impacts raised.  
Originally, the scoping comment period was to close on Sept. 3. However, after receiving input and questions through recent public engagement, forest officials opted for the two-week extension that will allow more time for the public to submit feedback on the proposed purchase of school trust and state tax forfeit land managed by St. Louis County within the BWCAW.
Importantly, the proposed action described in the scoping package has not changed.  Comments should still be submitted by using the “Comment on Project” tab on the right-hand side of the project webpage. The project webpage remains the same and can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/superior/?project=66600.
Hard copy comments may also be accepted by sending to: Thomas Hall, Forest Supervisor, ATTN School Trust, St. Louis County, and TCF Land Purchase Project, Forest Headquarters, 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808.